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Pesto Veggie Manicotti
5 from 72 votes

Pesto Veggie Manicotti

Pesto Veggie Manicotti features pasta tubes stuffed with a creamy mix of ricotta, Parmesan, pesto, fresh spinach, sautéed onions, garlic, and grated carrots or zucchini. Topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then baked to meld flavors and achieve a tender yet structured texture. The herbal pesto and fresh vegetables brighten the classic Italian stuffed pasta.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 431 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Manicotti noodles one box, in a box
  • ½ onion medium
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup carrot or zucchini, grated
  • ½ tsp olive oil
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 5 oz spinach fresh baby
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese or romano cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup pesto
  • 1/2-1 cup mozzarella cheese add as much as you want!, for topping
  • season to taste with black pepper, salt, parsley, oregano, thyme, and garlic powder.
  • 16 oz fire roasted marinara sauce or your favorite red sauce

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Gently boil shells for approx. 11 min or until tender/al dente.
  3. Drain and arrange cooked noodles in a glass baking dish with a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom.
  4. Fun fact: if you roll the noodles in the red sauce it will help prevent them from sticking/wilting! Dice and sauté, onions and garlic together with shredded carrots and 1/2 tsp of olive oil.
  5. In a large bowl, fold ricotta, parm/romano cheeses, pesto, and torn spinach together with all your herbs and spices. Season to taste.
  6. Next, add your veggies to the mix.
  7. You are free to use your fingers, but putting the stuffing in a bag with a hole cut in the corner and squeezing is muuuch easier! Stuff the noodles gently and pour a generous pile of sauce on top.
  8. Top with sliced or grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese [use as much as you'd like!] and bake for approx. 20-30 minutes at 350 F. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Adding an Italian seasoning blend to the filling enhances flavor if available.
  • Sautéed chopped mushrooms can be included for extra texture and taste.
  • Stuffing the manicotti is easier using a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off.
  • Nutrition estimates are based on an online calculator; adjust ingredient quantities as needed.

Nutrition Information

Calories 431kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 903mg (38%) Potassium 593mg (13%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 4150IU (83%) Vitamin C 13.2mg (15%) Calcium 455mg (46%) Iron 2.4mg (13%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 431

% Daily Value*

Calories 431kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 903mg 38%
Potassium 593mg 13%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 4150IU 83%
Vitamin C 13.2mg 15%
Calcium 455mg 46%
Iron 2.4mg 13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.